What the "Stop Online Piracy Act" could mean for us USA folks...?

[Drtooth]

Or they were waiting to pay a crapload of PR spin agents to make it sound like a not terrible thing. Seriously... with all the lobbyists and PR firms they're paying to spin this, they could just keep that as profit. Same problem I have with ALL the big corporations.

 

[CensoredAlso]

I can see why you would think that but I'm just not sure I agree at this point. The articles I read in the mainstream publications were not all positive by a long shot. If anyone's been trying to spin it, they're not doing a very good job.

 

[Drtooth]

I can see why you would think that but I'm just not sure I agree at this point. The articles I read in the mainstream publications were not all positive by a long shot. If anyone's been trying to spin it, they're not doing a very good job.

Newspapers? You'd think they have the most to gain from the internet collapsing.

But the thing is, no one really reads the papers anymore. News stations, local and national have been VERY quiet on the matter (except for a PBS Newshour interview with some head of something, clearly out to spin with a cheap "Stealin's stealin'" response), John Stewart and Steven Colbert have done gags about it (negative, though muffled, probably edited with a fine tooth comb by Viacom). that's the only thing besides the local news' "Oh, you can't use Wikipedia today. They have some protest or something...

The internet is where the story spread, and there's VERY little non-corporate support for it.

 

[CensoredAlso]

I agree that news stations didn't talk about it much; I'm just not sure they had any real motive beyond thinking there were other major stories. Plus there really hasn't been a ton to say. The bill has barely done anything in Congress yet and very few significant amendments were implemented.

 

[Sgt Floyd]

Not SOPA, but still, not a good sign

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16642369

*headdesk*

 

[Drtooth]

If the bill gets whittled down and becomes something well thought out that punishes illegal profiteers and current theatrical film torrent sites, while protecting those who cover songs, re-edit videos, and post short clips and long lost programs the studios don't care to profit from... and I hope it does... then we'd have something workable.

Word has it the blocking sites thing is out, but not the other punishments. That's going to lead to wasted money in courts and our penal system (GOD, I hope I spelled that right), and just gives a smug, empty sense of satisfaction to the Recording industry, who was trying forever to punish those who didn't buy Chingy CD's. And CD's of the guy who wrote "Shake your Laffy taffy." Pirating that music should stand as a protest to how stupid the recording industry is to have factory made crap like that by one hit (you) Wonder( why the heck these people got a contract in the first place)s.

So far, all Hollyweird has done is spent a fortune on a campaign (and this will start soon) on how GREAT this is for the artists (that they routinely screw over) and writers (who get screwed even worse... we're supposed to forget the Hollywood strike from a few years ago, right?) this legislation is, and that "Stealin' stealin'" when they have no problem stealing independent internet videos themselves (not to mention each other's ideas for television programs... let's not forget how Fox rushed out clones of Super Nanny and Wife Swap as soon as they were announced to make it look like ABC was copying them). it's all about internet control and an iron fist on stuff they own the rights to.

I've been saying it for years... we need NEW copyright legislation that gives creators more control, but still being fair to the studios. And really... we need a bill called "Mickey Mouse will always be owned by the Disney Company from here to Eternity." That's what all copyright battles are for... so the mouse doesn't become public domain. Popeye has the rest of the world, but Hearst still owns him stateside.

 

[CensoredAlso]

"It begs the question that if you can find and arrest people who are suspected to be involved in piracy using existing laws, then why introduce further regulations which are US-only and potentially damaging."

Good question, heh. This is a common flaw in our system. Instead of using the laws we already have, Congress creates new ones, which will also eventually go unused!

 

[D'Snowth]

We already have our first victim of SOPA: MegaUpload (and I guess MegaVideo is probably gone now too).

And Drtooth, you'd be surprised how many people actually do still read the newspaper (not me, but I mean, they still sell very well).

 

[CensoredAlso]

We already have our first victim of SOPA

Well technically SOPA hasn't been passed yet. Ironically it's a victim of laws...we apparently already have...so I'm unclear as to why we even need SOPA at all, LOL.

And Drtooth, you'd be surprised how many people actually do still read the newspaper (not me, but I mean, they still sell very well).

They're still selling but they are definitely struggling.

 

[Ozymandias]

We already have our first victim of SOPA: MegaUpload

>_> You have GOT to be kidding me. Oh well, onto Sendspace to upload my MEP parts.